Dr Ackland is Deputy Head (Academic) of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Deputy Director of the ARC Centre for Medical Implant Technologies, and head of the Biomechanics Research group in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the University of Melbourne. He holds a BSc (Neuroscience), BE (Mechanical), and PhD degrees from the University of Melbourne.
Dr Ackland's research focuses on computational modelling and experimentation in human movement biomechanics, with a particular emphasis on upper limb orthopaedics and maxillofacial surgery. His research group employs medical imaging, human motion experiments, musculoskeletal modelling, and in vitro biomechanical experiments in the evaluation of muscle and joint function. Dr Ackland has a particular interest in design and evaluation of implantable devices for the treatment of end-stage bone and joint conditions. Dr Ackland’s was involved in the design of Australia’s first customised jaw-joint replacement prosthesis, which has restored jaw function in over 100 Australians suffering debilitating pain and deformities of the jaw associated with congenital and degenerative abnormalities, as well as trauma and cancer. This prosthesis has resulted in a spin-off company dedicated to design and manufacture of personalised implantable maxillofacial devices (OMX Solution Pty Ltd). Dr Ackland has attracted $7M in research funds from the ARC, NHMRC, government and industry. He works with orthopaedic industry, including multi-national companies such as Lima, Smith & Nephew and Zimmer-Biomet. His collaborations also include Epworth Healthcare, St Vincent’s Hospital, the Avenue Private Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, as well as CSIRO and the Defence Science and Technology Group. His international collaborators include researchers from Stuttgart University (Germany), ETH Zurich (Switzerland), and Auckland Bioengineering Institute (Auckland). Dr Ackland is the treasurer of the Australian and New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society (ANZORS), and a member of the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA).
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David Ackland's highlights
FEATURED Journal article
Is Self-Reported Knee Stability Associated With Symptoms, Function, and Quality of Life in People With Knee Osteoarthritis After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?
Read moreDavid Ackland's selected work
Advancing Human Movement Evaluation Using Artificial Intelligence
Internal Research Grant
Using virtual reality to treat real-world injuries
NEWS ARTICLE
Effect of sitting posture on pelvic injury risk under vertical loading.
Journal article
Advancing Human Movement Evaluation Using Artificial Intelligence
Research Grant
Why science matters: Five of the best stories
NEWS ARTICLE
Measurement of Scaphoid Bone Microarchitecture: A Computed Tomography Imaging Study and Im..
Journal article
David Ackland's selected work
Projects
Displaying the 13 most recent projects by David Ackland.
Project Types
6
Research Grant
4
Internal Research Grant
3
Research Contracts
Additional Information
(2015) Victorian Orthopaedic Research Trust (
1,500 over one year) “Biomechanical evaluation of the Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis”, Dr Ackland, A/Prof Martin Richardson(2015) Development of Injury Criteria, The Defence Science and Technology Organisation of the Department of Defence (,194,567 over three years). Prof Peter Lee, Dr David Ackland, Dr Justin Fernandez, Dr Tuan Duc Ngo
(2015) Development of a Wrist Joint Simulator, O’Brien Institute, St Vincent’s Hospital ($81,730 over four years), Dr David Ackland, Mr Stephen Tham, Mr David McCombe, Mr Eugene Ek
(2015) A Novel Canine Spine Fixation Device, Advanced Vetcare ($7,332 over one year), Dr David Ackland, Dr David Hall
(2014) Group of Eight Australia – Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme “Evaluation of loading at the human jaw and teeth for the diagnosis and treatment of oral and maxillofacial health conditions” ($9,600 in 2015, and $9,600 in 2016). Dr David Ackland, Prof Peter Lee, Oliver Rohrle, Sook-Yee Chong
(2014) STRAPA Research Award ($27,000 + $5,000 per year over three years) “Unravelling the complexity of the cephalopod: The use of micro-CT and computational modelling in understanding the origins and applications of the boneless jaw”, Dr David Ackland, Prof Peter Lee, A/Prof Chris Whitton, Dr Julian Finn, Dr Martin Gomon
(2014) McCoy seed funding ($8,250 over one year) “Unravelling the complexity of small animals: improving museum exhibits with the use of multi scale imaging information”, Dr David Ackland, Prof Peter Lee, A/Prof Chris Whitton, Dr Julian Finn, Dr Martin Gomon
(2013) Victorian Orthopaedic Research Trust ($7,400 over one year) “Biomechanical evaluation of clavicle fracture plate fixation techniques”, Dr Minoo Patel, Dr Ackland
(2012) Victorian Orthopaedic Research Trust ($5,700 over one year) “Tendon grasping strength of a novel suture configuration for rotator cuff repair”, Dr Ackland, A/Prof Martin Richardson,
(2011) Melbourne Early Career Researcher Grant Scheme ($28,490 over one year) “Regulation of Cartilage Biosynthetic Behaviour by Physical Stimuli”, Dr Ackland
Scholarly Works
Displaying the 76 most recent scholarly works by David Ackland.
Keyword Analysis
News
Displaying the 3 most recent news articles by David Ackland.
Honours, Awards and Fellowships
Most Commendable Paper in an International Journal, Bending strength and stiffness of Canine cadaver spines after fixation of a lumbar spinal fracture
Best paper award, Relationship between knee confidence and physical function in people with knee OA after ACLR
Fresch Scientist Award (2010)
‘Speak Out for Engineering’ (Australian final)
‘Speak Out for Engineering’ (Victorian final)
James Herbert Mirams Memorial Scholarship
Credentials
Positions
Positions
Associate Professor
Biomedical Engineering
Affiliate Membership
Australian Orthopaedic Association
Member
Australian and New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society
Member
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Member
Royal Society of Victoria
Education
Education
Associate Diploma of Musical Performance, Australia
University of Melbourne
Graduate Certificate of University Teaching
University of Melbourne
Doctor of Philosophy
University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Engineering
University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Science
University of Melbourne